http://coachsci.sdsu.edu/swim/champion/table.htm How Champions Do It
Table of Contents

How Champions Do It is a compilation of underwater stroke sequences of world-champion or remarkable swimmers. These are presented with a minimum of content and are left to be viewed as objective records of how strokes are performed in that most critical stage of swimming, the propulsive phase.
In viewing the collages, it is suggested that the following features be kept in mind.
Not all actions that occur underwater contribute to propulsion. A considerable number are used to position the arms, and in some strokes the legs, to be able to apply propulsive forces. Extending the length of time in a "positioning" activity will likely slow a swimmer, while extending the length of time in a propulsive activity will likely lead to greater acceleration. Actions that do not contribute to propulsion are termed either "positioning movements", which are necessary but non-propulsive, or "cosmetic".
Many actions occur to balance other actions, Newton's Third Law ("Action-reaction Law") being unavoidable. For example, when a downward pressing movement is made with one or both arms, usually there is a downward kick with one or both legs to keep the cargo of swimming, the head and trunk, horizontal. Lifting the head usually causes the hips to sink unless there is a vigorous kick and possibly hyperextension of the neck to minimize that often unnecessary action. Since the body is freely suspended in water it is not possible to perform one movement without some other reaction in another part of the body.
Many actions in swimming are performed to accommodate restrictions of the human anatomy and swimming stroke rules.
As much as possible, the examples presented are from competitive swims. Recent technologies and access to competitions have made it possible to view these movements. Records of training swims rarely capture the extent and nature of movements performed in competitions. This writer asserts that competitive movement models are more appropriate for emulation than are training models.
It is asserted that the models depicted are representative of the stage of the race in which they were recorded. It should not be assumed that every stroke in a race is performed exactly as depicted. Rather, a family of movements is likely to be produced in a race. It is the general mechanical principles that should be evaluated rather than some isolated positioning or cosmetic feature.
It is hoped these illustrations will be used to understand the swimming characteristics of elite swimmers in a more objective manner than in the rampant trend of subjective assertions in the current swimming dialogue.
